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Code Breakers #4
A Cantata of Love
As the oldest son of the brilliant Harcourt code breaking family, the Earl of Kendal has never backed down from a challenge. When he accepts a dangerous clandestine assignment in Paris, he never expects it to be his last. But with his enemies hot on his trail, and a quickly worsening injury sapping his strength, even Michael Harcourt might not survive this one. Just as death seems imminent, he is saved by a young boy...or so he thinks.
Lady Gabrielle De Valmont is not what she seems. Desperate to avoid the terrible fate that awaits her if she remains in France, she'll do anything to escape, including disguising herself as a boy and helping a cunning Englishman. She can ignore the desire he stirs within her, for their alliance will be short-lived at best, a necessary evil.
But when the danger follows her back to England, Gabrielle must rely on Michael for protection. When both lord and lady have secret identities, can their passion really be trusted?
Enjoy the passionate, suspenseful Regency world of the Code Breakers, where daring lords and ladies decode the path to happily ever amidst their dangerous, heroic fight against Napoleon's treacherous designs.
Lady Gabrielle De Valmont is not what she seems. Desperate to avoid the terrible fate that awaits her if she remains in France, she'll do anything to escape, including disguising herself as a boy and helping a cunning Englishman. She can ignore the desire he stirs within her, for their alliance will be short-lived at best, a necessary evil.
But when the danger follows her back to England, Gabrielle must rely on Michael for protection. When both lord and lady have secret identities, can their passion really be trusted?
Enjoy the passionate, suspenseful Regency world of the Code Breakers, where daring lords and ladies decode the path to happily ever amidst their dangerous, heroic fight against Napoleon's treacherous designs.
252 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2016
490 people are currently reading
409 people want to read
About the author
Jacki Delecki
60 books1,214 followersJacki Delecki is a USA Today bestselling romantic suspense author whose stories are filled with heart-pounding adventure, danger, intrigue, and romance.
Her books consistently receive rave reviews for her three bestselling suspense series: Contemporary romantic suspense The Impossible Mission Series, featuring Special Force Operatives; The Grayce Walters Series, contemporary romantic suspense following a Seattle animal acupuncturist with a nose for crime; and The Code Breakers Series and A Lady’s School for Spies Series, Regency suspense set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars.
Jacki’s stories reflect her lifelong love affair with the arts and history. When not writing, she volunteers for Seattle's Ballet and Opera Companies.
To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about giveaways, join her newsletter found on her website. JackiDelecki.com
Follow her on FB—Jacki Delecki
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 25, 2018
A very enjoyable book and one that i read just recently. With spies, the plots and the romance, it certainly had me turning the pages. It's the first book that i have read of the Code Breakers and do hope to read the previous books in the near future.
My thanks to Negalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.
My thanks to Negalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review.
August 31, 2018
I am sorry but I could not get into this book. I tried on several different times but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
January 23, 2018
A Cantata of Love is my favorite book in Jacki Delecki's Code Breaker Series. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, it is a fast-paced mystery set inside a historical romance package. What I love most about these books are the strong female characters: not only are the women beautiful, they are super smart and independent. Because this story picks up shortly after the third book in the Code Breaker Series, I highly recommend starting with the first book (A Code of Love) to better understand the overarching premise and interrelationships between the characters.
This story begins when Lady Gabrielle De Valmont is man-handled and propositioned by a feverish and delirious Lord Michael Harcourt, the greatest codebreaker in England. Lady Gabrielle nursed Michael back to health after he was shot and sought shelter in an Abbey (the nuns agreed to let him inside the abbey if he agreed to take a young boy with him when he left France and that boy was Gabrielle). Gabby was also hiding in an attempt to escape Napoleon's attempt to marry her off so he could gain control of her family's wealth. The rest of the story is figuring out who Michael and Gabby can trust, and how to stop an assassination plot to kill the Prince Regent.
Pearl Hewitt narrated this audiobook, as she has done with the other books in the series. She is simply outstanding. She provides differing voices for characters young and old, as well as male and female. Pearl has a spunk and sassiness in her readings that make listening very enjoyable. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this engaging series?
This story begins when Lady Gabrielle De Valmont is man-handled and propositioned by a feverish and delirious Lord Michael Harcourt, the greatest codebreaker in England. Lady Gabrielle nursed Michael back to health after he was shot and sought shelter in an Abbey (the nuns agreed to let him inside the abbey if he agreed to take a young boy with him when he left France and that boy was Gabrielle). Gabby was also hiding in an attempt to escape Napoleon's attempt to marry her off so he could gain control of her family's wealth. The rest of the story is figuring out who Michael and Gabby can trust, and how to stop an assassination plot to kill the Prince Regent.
Pearl Hewitt narrated this audiobook, as she has done with the other books in the series. She is simply outstanding. She provides differing voices for characters young and old, as well as male and female. Pearl has a spunk and sassiness in her readings that make listening very enjoyable. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this engaging series?
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June 20, 2018
WOW !!!! that is the only word that comes to mind for the Brilliant " Code Breakers " series by Jacki ... I have always admired Jacki's work ...her concept,ideas & finally presenting her story is entralling , exceptional .
A Cantata of Love by Jacki Delecki is the fourth book in her Code Breakers series; all her books so far in this series r standalone books ...as her other books in this books also she has maintained the drama, intigue, suspence, romance, action, sex, sizzling chemistry ...she has not disappointed & given us a superlike good book ...
We are introduced to Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal in this book who is on a clandestine mission for the British crown. He is shot and wounded. is nursed by Lady Gabrielle De Valmont. Gabrielle is fleeing for her life from Napoleon’s men.Gabby's brother sent her to live in a nunnery when she caught the eye of one of Napoleon's lackies.Napoleon wants her fortune and he wants to force her to marry his brother.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch.In the process of working together they get attracted with each other & fall in love . what i love about Jacki's book is her women characters ,all strong ,intelligent ,smart, beautiful,bold ,sensible women . Absolutely a captivating wonderful read!!
It is a great spy adventure, well written developed plot , not one moment of boredom so engrossing ...i would definitely recommend this book ..pls do read ...dont miss it
A Cantata of Love by Jacki Delecki is the fourth book in her Code Breakers series; all her books so far in this series r standalone books ...as her other books in this books also she has maintained the drama, intigue, suspence, romance, action, sex, sizzling chemistry ...she has not disappointed & given us a superlike good book ...
We are introduced to Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal in this book who is on a clandestine mission for the British crown. He is shot and wounded. is nursed by Lady Gabrielle De Valmont. Gabrielle is fleeing for her life from Napoleon’s men.Gabby's brother sent her to live in a nunnery when she caught the eye of one of Napoleon's lackies.Napoleon wants her fortune and he wants to force her to marry his brother.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch.In the process of working together they get attracted with each other & fall in love . what i love about Jacki's book is her women characters ,all strong ,intelligent ,smart, beautiful,bold ,sensible women . Absolutely a captivating wonderful read!!
It is a great spy adventure, well written developed plot , not one moment of boredom so engrossing ...i would definitely recommend this book ..pls do read ...dont miss it
July 24, 2016
A Cantata of Love by Jacki Delecki is the fourth book in her Code Breakers series; but it can easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this book because it has everything that I want in a historical romantic suspense. A fast paced plot with well developed characters, plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages because I had to know more and a slow and heated romance. The premise of this code was based on music and I really did find that to be fascinating. I never knew that there was a "musical code" that was used during this time period. I also enjoyed seeing old friends again from the previous books and finding out how they are and what they have been up to since I left them. I am hoping that this series continues as I am always eager to read the next book to find out more about this world of spies and intrigue.
I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 13, 2016
So I love this book. I received this book as an audio book for an honest review. A Cantata of Love by Jacki Delecki is great romantic suspense it is the 4th book in the Code Breakers Series. The characters are well developed and the story draws you in. Michael and Gabby are great characters you will enjoy the story...
June 6, 2017
A bit of a muddle
This story promised an escape from Paris and daring espionage. In fact it appeared to be a continuation of other stories I did not read so it was difficult to figure out the characters and backstory. The main characters were flat and boring and the " plot" was nothing more than a concern that someone would hurt his darling . This one can be missed
This story promised an escape from Paris and daring espionage. In fact it appeared to be a continuation of other stories I did not read so it was difficult to figure out the characters and backstory. The main characters were flat and boring and the " plot" was nothing more than a concern that someone would hurt his darling . This one can be missed
May 29, 2018
Charming
Having read the first three of this series I found this one not to be as well constructed. The heroine was charming and love scenes sensual as always but the last chapters were muddled and dragged out.
Having read the first three of this series I found this one not to be as well constructed. The heroine was charming and love scenes sensual as always but the last chapters were muddled and dragged out.
March 12, 2018
“A Cantata of Love” is book 4 in The Code Breakers Series by Jacki Delecki. France during Napoleon’s reign is a dangerous place for Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal. He is on a clandestine mission for the British crown when he is shot and wounded. Slipping into a coma and teetering on the edge of death, Michael is nursed by Lady Gabrielle De Valmont. Gabrielle is fleeing for her life from Napoleon’s men. Napoleon wants her fortune and he wants to force her to marry his brother.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch. Can they save him in time? What do they do with their growing attraction to one another?
I enjoyed the creativity in this story. There are twists and plot turns that I did not anticipate. I think it is important to read the entire series to get the full taste of the story. I highly recommend this book.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch. Can they save him in time? What do they do with their growing attraction to one another?
I enjoyed the creativity in this story. There are twists and plot turns that I did not anticipate. I think it is important to read the entire series to get the full taste of the story. I highly recommend this book.
October 3, 2024
A Cantata of Love” is book 4 in The Code Breakers Series by Jacki Delecki. France during Napoleon’s reign is a dangerous place for Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal. He is on a clandestine mission for the British crown when he is shot and wounded. Slipping into a coma and teetering on the edge of death, Michael is nursed by Lady Gabrielle De Valmont. Gabrielle is fleeing for her life from Napoleon’s men. Napoleon wants her fortune and he wants to force her to marry his brother.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch. Can they save him in time? What do they do with their growing attraction to one another?
I enjoyed the creativity in this story. There are twists and plot turns that I did not anticipate. I think it is important to read the entire series to get the full taste of the story. I highly recommend this book.
Together Michael and Gabrielle uncover a French plot to kill the British monarch. Can they save him in time? What do they do with their growing attraction to one another?
I enjoyed the creativity in this story. There are twists and plot turns that I did not anticipate. I think it is important to read the entire series to get the full taste of the story. I highly recommend this book.
April 21, 2019
I quite enjoyed this story. It’s not what I usually think of as romantic suspense, it feels more like romantic comedy with an air of intrigue – a comedy of errors. Also, a bit like the silent movies of old, with the dramatic overacting and telegraphing of intentions. The villains aren’t particularly stealthy but it’s still fun to cheer the “good guys” on to victory. I found Michael and Gabrielle to be sympathetic characters and I cared about what happened to them. I was invested in learning how they’d get their happy ever after.
January 17, 2025
Michael was an excellent code breaker!
Michael was sent to France on his first mission. It didn't go as planned and he had to escape France. Nuns helped him in return for getting a young boy to safety.
This starts a chain of events that under a assassination plot.
Gabrielle is a French woman that is trying to reach her brother in England. Michael and Gabby have an instant connection.
Their story is full of twists and turns. If you like a story that is not an easy one to love, then you should like this one.
This is my honest review.
Michael was sent to France on his first mission. It didn't go as planned and he had to escape France. Nuns helped him in return for getting a young boy to safety.
This starts a chain of events that under a assassination plot.
Gabrielle is a French woman that is trying to reach her brother in England. Michael and Gabby have an instant connection.
Their story is full of twists and turns. If you like a story that is not an easy one to love, then you should like this one.
This is my honest review.
February 25, 2019
Fairly dreadful, though I have read worse, and I did at least finish it. Alright, one and a half stars. Full of careless mistakes, for example a glass of brandy has become a glass of whiskey two sentences later, then two sentences further on it morphs back to a glass of brandy. The characters are caricatures, the plot predictable, the writing heavy and repetitive. There are frequent references to earlier books, which I found tedious. Not a good experience.
March 23, 2019
Very good
I received this book free for an honest review. I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are very varied and believable...Gabby was adorable and my favorite character. It is good mystery, set during England's war with France during Napoleons attempt to rule the world but had more to do with the tangled web of spying by both sides. A lot of action,Well balanced with romance and family loyalty.
I received this book free for an honest review. I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are very varied and believable...Gabby was adorable and my favorite character. It is good mystery, set during England's war with France during Napoleons attempt to rule the world but had more to do with the tangled web of spying by both sides. A lot of action,Well balanced with romance and family loyalty.
January 10, 2018
Addicting series
Love the intrigue of the spys, the plots and adventures keep this series moving at a quick pace. I love that the characters continue through the series so we can watch them evolve even more. Strong, confident, sexy males scramble to keep up with strong intelligent women who knock their men off their feet. Absolutely addictive wonderful read!!
Love the intrigue of the spys, the plots and adventures keep this series moving at a quick pace. I love that the characters continue through the series so we can watch them evolve even more. Strong, confident, sexy males scramble to keep up with strong intelligent women who knock their men off their feet. Absolutely addictive wonderful read!!
August 28, 2020
After helping an Englishman recover from a wound & bad fever, he helps the French woman escape from France. She hopes to join her brother in England; but finds out he has been killed. Friends of our hero take her under their wings. She helps them break a code to prevent the killing of the king.
The book was hard to put done. And it was well-written.
The book was hard to put done. And it was well-written.
September 16, 2020
Coded Songs
A great book that involves breaking down coded messages.
The main characters are Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal, Lady Gabrielle De Valmont, the Lord and Lady Ashworth.and Lord Cord and Lady Henrietta. Rathbourne.
This book is about spies, code breakers and music.
I would recommend this book!
A great book that involves breaking down coded messages.
The main characters are Michael Harcourt, the Earl of Kendal, Lady Gabrielle De Valmont, the Lord and Lady Ashworth.and Lord Cord and Lady Henrietta. Rathbourne.
This book is about spies, code breakers and music.
I would recommend this book!
January 2, 2021
And a great series marches on
This is another amazing story in a great series. The plot is full of emotional suspense and intrigue. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, with the determination to overcome their foes. This is a great book that would be suitable for anybody who loves steamy historical romances, that have plenty of mystery.
This is another amazing story in a great series. The plot is full of emotional suspense and intrigue. The characters are brilliantly portrayed, with the determination to overcome their foes. This is a great book that would be suitable for anybody who loves steamy historical romances, that have plenty of mystery.
June 20, 2022
Michael is in France on a mission for England. He agrees to help a young boy escape France and take him to England. On the way Michael gets shots and it turns out the boy is really a woman. He nearly dies and she nurses him back to health. They finally make it to England and then they find out she is still in danger. An exciting book and a lot of surprises.
January 30, 2019
I love stories where the girl is not the usual "I'm passively waiting for my prince charming to save me". It's full of suspense and romance, and i couldn't stop reading until the very end. Definitely will read again.
February 28, 2019
Liked this book
Good characters and interesting story line. Really liked the spy and coding aspect of the story. Mystery and some suspense added to the story. May try another book from this series.
Good characters and interesting story line. Really liked the spy and coding aspect of the story. Mystery and some suspense added to the story. May try another book from this series.
April 13, 2019
The book was very good until all of the graphic sex was added at the end which ruined it for me.
Leave out the graphic sex and the book would be really good. I like to read Recency novels because they should be G rated
Leave out the graphic sex and the book would be really good. I like to read Recency novels because they should be G rated
December 24, 2022
Espionage At Its Finest
I truly enjoyed this book! All the intrigue & secret spy missions wrapped up in a romance. It was a remarkable book!
I highly recommend this series & look forward to reading the next one!
I truly enjoyed this book! All the intrigue & secret spy missions wrapped up in a romance. It was a remarkable book!
I highly recommend this series & look forward to reading the next one!
November 27, 2023
Cantata of Love — 🎶🎶🎶⚔️🔍❤️💋❤️💋❤️💋❤️
The codebreakers saga continues. Yes, there is suspense and a few surprises but this volume didn’t grab my attention quite as effectively as the first one did. Nevertheless, it is well worth reading. Gabby is quite the handful as a heroine.
The codebreakers saga continues. Yes, there is suspense and a few surprises but this volume didn’t grab my attention quite as effectively as the first one did. Nevertheless, it is well worth reading. Gabby is quite the handful as a heroine.
June 16, 2025
A CANTATA OF LOVE is a fast paced regency romance with all the excitement of spies thrown in to keep you turning pages. I really enjoyed it but was surprised later in the book by unexpected and unwelcome spice.
May 18, 2018
A CANTATA OF LOVE : Is just okay. A decent background story, but flat characters. Michael and Gabby seemed quite dull. Too much gazing, not enough loving.
June 14, 2018
Excellent
Enjoyable characters,funny situations,and very good plot twists mix that makes for a good read. Kudos for the mystery I did not even sure it.
Enjoyable characters,funny situations,and very good plot twists mix that makes for a good read. Kudos for the mystery I did not even sure it.
February 24, 2019
How have I not found this series before? I need to go and read the rest.
February 28, 2019
A fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews